Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 926 aligns county and city authority by allowing counties to form a CID in unincorporated
• financing tools as a city does when the county is the primary land use authority.
• It changes only where a county may form a district. That's it.
• I think counties can get played here too a bit.
• If they don't... ...note that this is managed by the county commissioners.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the same time, our county and neighboring counties where we've generally pulled our labor pool
• So at the same time, our county and<01:18:23.440><c> neighboring</c><01:18:23.920><c> counties</c><01
• Uh thank you for the authority.
• </c> base here in the county. base here in the county. uh<01:21:23.440><c> this</c><01:21:23.679><c>
• </c><01:26:51.280><c> So,</c> to step on their authority yet. So, to step on their authority yet.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Sobola County, the Village of Milan and the City of Grants.
• thousand for Cibola County for the.
• I don't know Otero County, so I can't say what they need in economic development.
• That for the county.
• And then it was just G R T and then hard costs to the county.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:11.760><c> if</c><00:02:12.120><c> the</c> judicial authority if the judicial authority if
• </c> employees with procurement authority employees with procurement authority participate<00:17:38.680
• </c> counties reported collecting. counties reported collecting.
• All right. of Customer Services, City and County of of Customer Services, City and County of Honolulu
• </c> counties. Thank you. counties. Thank you.

Bills: SB2041

Keywords: land court, real property, legal documents, bureau of conveyances, judicial confirmation, property registration, working group, Hawaii Revised Statutes, reform, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 2041, which would repeal the Land Court, transfer its functions to the Bureau of Conveyances, and create a working group to recommend implementation. DLNR and Judiciary stood on their written testimony, while Realtors supported the bill and one testifier raised concerns about the loss of judicial authority, title disputes, adverse possession, and possible effects on Kuleana lands. Members questioned whether property could be deregistered and what the legal consequences would be, and the Bureau of Conveyances said deregistration is already available but burdensome. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by both committees. The Judiciary Committee then heard SB 2247, which restricts certain governor-appointed, Senate-confirmed executive branch employees from participating in campaign fundraising. The State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill as a way to curb pay-to-play concerns and the appearance of undue influence, and several advocacy and civic groups also testified in support, with one person opposing. The committee agreed to amend the bill so the restrictions apply only after confirmation and continue until the person leaves the covered position. The committee voted to pass SB 2247 with amendments. Finally, the Judiciary Committee heard SB 2143, which would make the Attorney General the interim Chief Election Officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. Supporters argued the bill would provide continuity, prevent delays in certifying election results, and protect election integrity; opponents argued it would politicize the office, create a conflict of interest, and was unnecessary because current law already provides a process for filling vacancies. Testimony was extensive and sharply divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript provided does not include a final vote or action on SB 2143.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am working with Ramsey County Attorney's Office on this, but this will affect every county across the
• . but chair Scott has also authored the but chair Scott has also authored the same<00:02:15.680><c> exact
• Trish scammer with the Ramsey County Trish scammer with the Ramsey County Attorney's<00:03:05.000><c>
• I've got some in my district that serve not just Wright County but surrounding counties, and so it's
• In response, the agencies observed that the bill authorizing that program had authorized certain data

Bills: HF1855, HF102, HF1082, HF1354, HF2184, HF1792, HF2296, HF2429, HF2543, HF2566

Keywords: veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• Your county commissioners that have called you in support or against this bill Commissioners that have
• Your property taxes will go up if this program is implemented in your county.
• Senators, if your county commissioners feel like this is going to raise taxes and is not good for your
• President, I ask unanimous consent that all bills on second reading be read by number and author only
• It affirms that local land use authority matters.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Resolution 81 is the um, authorization Resolution 81 is the um, authorization of<00:11:32.079><c
• </c> uh, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority uh, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority through<00:11:37.680
• Uh, would Martin County Rockcastle.
• Christian County, no less.
• </c><01:06:52.799><c> Um,</c> Christian County, no less. Um, Christian County, no less.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with Lee County, Mississippi, only. with Lee County, Mississippi, only.
• areas,</c><00:27:36.240><c> counties</c> professional shortage areas, counties professional shortage
• ; counties with hospitals receiving disproportionate share of funds; counties lacking hospital presence
• </c> for the Gulf Coast Utility Authorities for the Gulf Coast Utility Authorities that<00:40:56.640>
• We talk here a lot about counties.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 March, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and by Speaker Rivas on a visit to the Superior Court of Monterey County last year.
• that need it the most, including San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
• We have 45 CASA programs in 52 counties.
• These efforts are ongoing in Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Solano, and Kern counties.
• and in Riverside County.

Summary: The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches. Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails. A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• :10.240><c> of</c><00:21:10.400><c> this</c> the authorization the creation of this the authorization
• The only one left is Ramsey County.
• Uh right now one left is Ramsey County.
• So, first I want to say thank counties.
• As an assistant county you for that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• issues in their counties, as far as city council or county commissioners.
• Senator Martin, you specifically list Hillsborough County as one of the counties where this bill would
• Broward County, Miami-Dade County, the floor.
• , but not your own Lee County.
• I hope the Miami-Dade County delegation will stand up and stick up for your county.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348. The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0). The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• If approved by the citizens of Missouri, this constitutional amendment would give us the authority, but
• The legislation authorized liability against both public and private entities by setting damages caps
• Charles that was brought to Clay County rather to hear that case and found the defendant guilty.
• Madam Chairman, I'm Sheriff Stacey Ball from Plasky County, the Plasky County Sheriff.
• Madam Chairman, I'm Sheriff Stacey Ball from Plasky County, the Plasky County Sheriff.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We even have our Nueces County judge here today to testify how our county almost went bankrupt because
• You are here on behalf of Nueces County and yourself.
• I know with the county we had many of our elected officials that work in the county courthouse that We
• of Claib counties.
• This is just a coastal bill impacting coastal counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you look at many of our county sheriffs, they are against these camping bans.
• H 2274, an act authorizing remote participation at town meeting, which is supported by the League of
• except for Hampden County, were counted as living in places unfit for human habitation.
• County rents.
• We represent all the farmers in Essex and Middlesex County, as well as this end of the state.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on bills related to land use, zoning, permitting, municipal governance, and homelessness. Early testimony focused on a home rule petition for Ipswich to remove a residency requirement for a town manager, with supporters saying it would broaden the applicant pool and help fill a vacant permanent manager position. Another panel backed legislation to change the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s governance so ratepayers in surrounding communities would have representation, arguing the current board structure leaves many users without a voice in rate-setting and capital decisions. Several housing and zoning bills drew testimony. Senator Keenan and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association supported a bill to toll the one-year period for acting on a variance while an appeal is pending, saying appeals should not consume the time needed to implement approved projects. Representative Murray and the Real Estate Bar Association also testified on broader zoning reforms, including changes to undersized lots, merger rules, hearing deadlines, appeals, and variance standards; they argued the proposals would reduce delay and uncertainty and help housing production. Committee members questioned whether shifting zoning appeals from de novo to closed-record review would limit new evidence, and the witnesses said the change would speed cases while preserving limited opportunities to supplement the record. The committee also heard testimony on bills to end the criminalization of homelessness. Representatives, advocates, and shelter organizations said local camping bans and fines are counterproductive, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, and urged a statewide response centered on housing and public health rather than punishment. Other municipal bills included remote participation in open town meetings for Wayland and a statewide local option, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett charter changes, and Cambridge’s request to use automated parking enforcement and mail parking tickets. The hearing also included testimony supporting fairground zoning flexibility, a Shrewsbury solar siting bill, and an Inspector General bill clarifying county land disposition procedures by requiring written notice to DCAM and a defined response period. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have chipped away at that with those five positions that were authorized last year.
• That amounts to less than one officer per county.
• I'm from Full Belly Farm in Western Yolo County. We're a certified organic, diversified farm.
• Spent on Butte County farmers markets.
• I'm a farmer and also an owner and producer of a food hub in Sonoma County called Feed.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of Department of Food and Agriculture budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding and trailer bill language for the Farm to School program and related climate-smart agriculture work. CDFA described the program’s goals of linking California producers with schools, expanding access to local and nutritious food, and supporting underserved farmers through technical assistance and outreach. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal as presented because of the state’s budget condition and suggested that some activities might instead be supported through Proposition 98. Members questioned whether the program is reaching the schools and communities with the greatest need, how grants are scored, and whether the proposal’s goals are measurable enough to justify ongoing funding. The item was held open. The committee also discussed CDFA’s climate bond expenditure plan, which would allocate remaining Proposition 4 funds to existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, urban agriculture, fairground emergency response upgrades, and invasive species work, as well as new or developing programs including year-round certified farmers markets, mobile farmers markets, regional farm equipment sharing, and tribal food sovereignty. CDFA said the funds would be released in stages based on program readiness, with audits and performance metrics tied to each program. The LAO found the plan reasonable and consistent with bond requirements. Members asked about audit responsibility, performance tracking, and whether the bond programs should be front-loaded or spread over a longer period. A third CDFA item addressed the elimination of vacant positions under prior budget reductions. CDFA and the Department of Finance explained that the positions were selected because they had been vacant for long periods or were hard to fill, and that departments identified the positions based on their own operational knowledge. The LAO supported retaining the special-fund positions and suggested the General Fund positions be weighed on their merits. Members raised concerns about the impact on core functions such as audits, investigations, milk marketing, and grape pricing reports, and asked for follow-up on how the department determined which positions could be removed. The committee then heard a CDFA IT proposal to add funding and four positions for information technology operations; the LAO had no concerns, and members discussed cybersecurity, legacy systems, and future risks such as AI and quantum threats. The committee took public comment and then voted to approve items 9 through 13, which included CDFA dog importation certificates, livestock carcass disposal, Gambling Control Commission IT support and tribal grant funding, and an ABC district office relocation. The hearing then moved to the Department of Cannabis Control, which presented a request to strengthen enforcement against the illicit cannabis market by adding a North State field office in Redding and three non-sworn support positions. DCC said the illicit market remains far larger than the legal market, with a large backlog of cases and significant public safety and environmental concerns. Finance supported the targeted expansion, the LAO had no comment, and members asked about regional coverage, officer safety, and whether a larger, more transformational enforcement effort might be warranted in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, thank you, Chair West, for authoring this bill.
• So this bill has a lot of co-authors.
• So this bill has a lot of co-authors.
• </c> Mr chair just a question for the author Mr chair just a question for the author because<01:35:46.000
• I'm the Chisago County attorney, and I'm here as a representative of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association

Bills: HF2436, HF470, HF2643, HF2456, HF102, HF1367

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• Reappropriation is funds that this committee authorizes that were authorized in the prior fiscal year
• And then you add back in authorized reappropriation and carry forward.
• That's the county and out-of-state placement.
• Only select agencies have this authority.
• Most authorized purposes... ...going forward.

Summary: The committee met as JFAC for a statewide budget overview and related process presentations. Keith Bybee of LSO walked members through the general fund outlook, emphasizing that projected revenues for FY 2026 and FY 2027 are below current budgeted spending, creating a structural imbalance that will require either budget reductions or use of one-time cash and reserve balances. He highlighted major statutory cost drivers over the last several years, including public defense, IT services, Medicaid expansion, public schools, and water resources, and reviewed cash reconciliation items, transfers, supplementals, rescissions, and the governor’s proposed use of various fund balances and interest earnings to help balance the budget. Members asked about the deficit, corrections costs, tax conformity timing, fire suppression deficiency funds, and whether stabilization funds should be used; Bybee stressed that the Legislature has options but must decide whether to rely on short-term money or make longer-term structural changes. Janet Jessup then explained the budget hearing process and the Legislative Budget Book, including historical summaries, fund analyses, organizational charts, five-year snapshots, performance measures, and enhancement/outcome reporting. Morgan Poloni followed with an overview of deficiency warrants and supplemental appropriations, explaining that deficiency warrants cover certain authorized expenses after they occur and are typically used for items like fire suppression or pest control, while supplementals adjust the current year appropriation and can apply to general, dedicated, or federal funds. She noted that deficiency warrant requests have grown in recent years, largely due to pest control, and that supplemental and rescission bills may require emergency clauses to take effect immediately. Francis Lippett presented on state health insurance costs, saying FY 2024 spending on health and dental insurance was $646.2 million and that costs are rising faster than in prior years. She explained how the state uses employee premiums, a sweep account, and reserve balances to stabilize the plan, and said the FY 2027 appropriation is expected to rise about 14 percent, with employee premiums projected to increase 7.3 percent to maintain the current 80/20 cost split. Members asked about why premiums are charged for benefit-eligible employees who decline coverage, how reserve targets are set, how school district employees fit into the state plan, and how the state selects its insurance carrier; the Division of Insurance administrator said the plan is administered by Regence under a multi-year contract and that the state will rebid the plan within the contract term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want the author of the bill or the author of the amendment? The bill.
• There County.
• </c> county board level with this. county board level with this.
• </c> taxes and the counties suffer. taxes and the counties suffer.
• The county board to go to the county.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:54.000><c> Would</c> ask the author to yield. Would ask the author to yield.
• We all care about where they are. authors. It's why I've said I've authors.
• That's going to happen to the taxpayers of that city or the county, Carver County.
• Well, they filed the bill with the maximum number of co-authors, 35 co-authors.
• The chief author and the number two The chief author and the number two author<03:34:40.560><c> are</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Tulare County.
• Filof Casares, Tulare County, I oppose AB 928. Alex Uribe, San Bernardino County. I oppose AB 928.
• Good morning, Juan Marcelo from Contra Costa County, and I oppose to AB 928. 928 Sanchez Sinclair County
• Eduardo Flores, Calaveras County, and I oppose AB 928. Randy Randall, Amador County.
• Bello County, and I oppose AB 928.

Keywords: 988, house, all